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 As a collective of Indigenous Peoples, our mission is to affirm the rights of Indigenous peoples, their right to self-determination, their collective human and civil rights, the rights of sovereignty and the protection of sacred sites, and the free unrestricted movement across international borders.

Promoting respect of Indigenous right of mobility:

The Indigenous Alliance strives to secure safe passage of Indigenous peoples, as protected under the corpus of international human rights instruments including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Culturally-affiliated Indigenous peoples reside on either side of the border.  Indigenous peoples have equal rights to culture, spirituality, education, and family and civic engagement.

Preserving our traditional values, languages and cultures:

Our ceremonial leaders, educators, family members and relatives have the right to safe passage across borders for purposes of cultural, spiritual and ceremonial exchange. The passing on of our cultures, languages, and knowledge to our youth is impeded by our lack of mobility across borders.
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Addressing insensible and insensitive United States defense and immigration policies:

These continue to disrespect Indigenous peoples' rights. The physical barrier and surveillance infrastructure along the United States and Mexico border, as well as an increased military presence harms reservation communities and Indigenous ways of life. Sacred sites are being disturbed by militarism and the construction of the border wall.

Press Release 

 Indigenous Alliance Without Borders Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras

THE GLOBAL JUSTICE CENTER

225 EAST 26TH STREET, #3

TUCSON, ARIZONA, 85713

For Immediate Release

Friday, March 29, 2019

Contact: Dr. Christina Leza at

Indigenous Alliance Without Borders Releases Handbook on Indigenous Peoples’ Border Crossing Rights

Tucson, AZ - The Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras/Indigenous Alliance Without Borders has released a “Know Your Rights” manual related to the rights of American Indians and Indigenous community members while crossing the U.S. - México border for tribal, cultural or family reasons. The “Handbook on Indigenous Peoples’ Border Crossing Rights Between the United States and Mexico” will serve as an accessible resource guide for tribal peoples wishing to cross tribal members between the U.S.-México border.

There are currently seven Indigenous Peoples whose territories and ancestral lands are divided by the U.S.-México border or who have tribal members on both sides of the borders; all have legal rights of passage to access and cross the border: the Pascua Yaqui / Yoeme, the Tohono O’odham, the Cocopah / Cucapá, the Kumeyaay / Kumiai, the Pai Pai, Apaches, and the Kickapoo / Kikapú. The Indigenous Alliance Without Borders/Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras, is a 22-year-old Indigenous rights organization based in Tucson, Arizona.  With members who are from tribal nations whose original territories preceded the establishment of the United States or Mexico or whose members have the legal right to traverse these borders, such as the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, the Alianza has worked for more than two decades to educate and raise awareness about the rights of mobility and passage of Indigenous communities. The manual details the processes for crossing the border, procedures for obtaining required documents for crossing, what to expect, how to file complaints if Indigenous border crossing rights are violated, and possible avenues for future recognition of Indigenous rights related to the subject.

According to the AISF website: The “Handbook on the Indigenous Peoples’ Border Crossing Rights Between The US and Mexico,” presents a basic framework and outline for an initial reference when addressing the movement of Indigenous Peoples across the US-Mexico border. The movement of Indigenous Peoples across political borders has been restricted, prohibited, or otherwise limited in an unprecedented, and at times, militaristic fashion, especially along the Arizona-Sonora border, as detailed in the Handbook Introduction. Traditional crossing areas have been eliminated or curtailed, and the act of crossing, even at Ports of Entry, has become a point of vulnerability or peril, and even within traditional lands. Cultural, social and spiritual rights, along with customs and rituals, have been violated and/or interrupted. Thus, the ancient right to move, and live within the nations’ own lands, has been seriously disrupted.

The manual was a longtime dream of the late Elder and Pascua Yaqui ceremonial leader José Matus, who passed away suddenly in 2017.  José was one of the first Native leaders to negotiate the rights of mobility and passage of tribal members in southern Arizona. The manual reflects some of his key ideas related to the rights of mobility and passage of Native peoples. He was often called upon to negotiate the passage of Pascua Yaqui and Tohono O’odham ceremonial leaders, traditional healers and tribal members.  

The Alianza Indígena Sin Fronteras was formed in 1997 after a gathering of Indigenous community members, who came together to share experiences of Indigenous communities who were impacted by the militarization of the U.S.-México border. These community members and elders recognized the need for the voices and experiences of Indigenous communities in the continued debate and rhetoric around border security and immigration. Often ignored are the experiences of Indigenous community members, who were not consulted about the militarization that literally cut through their homes and ancestral lands.  Indigenous community members continue to report issues of discrimination and abuse at the hands of border officials. This manual serves to create a common language around Indigenous border crossing, and understanding of the processes and procedures it entails, and the rights of Indigenous community members in asserting their right to cross the border free from discrimination and abuse.

The manual was authored by Dr. Christina Leza, associate professor at Colorado College, and the AISF. The manual draws from legal, academic, and community sources and is based on research conducted over several years. Dr. Leza states, “While there is no replacement for a resource for like José Matus and other Indigenous elders who have applied their knowledge to ensure the border crossing rights of Indigenous Peoples, I hope that this manual will help continue the critical Indigenous rights work done by leaders like Elder Matus.” The manual will continue to be updated as needed to provide the best resource for Indigenous communities that seek to maintain connections with their people’s members across the U.S.-México border.

For more information on the manual, contact Dr. Leza at 719-389-6131;

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The Indigenous Alliance Without Borders is organizing a campaign to support Indigenous language interpretation and translation for the hundreds of Indigenous migrants and visitors coming through the southern Arizona border as they seek to be united with sponsors or request asylum. We are requesting that supporters send gift cards of $25 or $50 from Target or Visa to the Indigenous Alliance, which will be delivered to Indigenous interpreters and translators in the region. Language translation and interpretation are needed for 22 languages in Guatemala, in particular Mam, Kanjobal, Quiche, and Ixil, and 62 languages from Mexico, in particular the Nahuatl  and Mixtec languages. The United Nations has declared 2019 the  International Year of Indigenous Languages. Please support our relatives’ rights to understand their rights in their own language. The gift cards should be mailed to the

Indigenous Alliance Without Borders

PO Box 81

Tucson AZ

85702

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These ARE NOT tax deductible donations.  

Join us August 10th 2019 for the International World Indigenous Peoples Day, and the Anniversary of Alianza Indigena. Danza/Music/ and Intertribal Dances. Food and drinks provided by H.O.N.O.R. Collective to raise funds to Canada.

Drug and Alcohol Free event.